This thesis set out to systematically analyse the role of Mai in signalling by TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 in murine macrophages and dendritic cells. It has revealed that Mai is not essential to TLR2 signal transduction, is required ...

The immune system has evolved tolerogenic and regulatory mechanism to control responses to self-antigens and to ensure that the inflammatory immune response to pathogens does not cause excessive tissue damage during ...

Cholera toxin (CT), a major enterotoxin produced by Vibrio cholerae, is a potent mucosal adjuvant that promotes type 2 T helper cell (Th2) responses to coadministered foreign antigen. However, the mechanisms involved in ...

The reaction mechanism of human biliverdin-IXβ reductase (BVR-B) has been investigated using a number of approaches. The preference for NADPH over NADH has been examined using site-directed mutagenesis. The crystal structure ...

Reduced activities of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and ...

Bovine mastitis is an inflammation-driven disease of the mammary gland that is associated with €2 billion in yearly losses to the European dairy industry. Streptococcus uberis is now ranked amongst the most prevalent ...

Schistosoma mansoni is a trematode parasite that elicits a potent Th2 response in its mammalian host. Schistosomes are powerful stimulators and suppressors of the immune system, with these alterations in immune function ...

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the developed world after cardiovascular disease, with almost 25 million people living with cancer worldwide. The three main therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer ...

Vaccines have had a significant impact on human health for over a hundred years, resulting in the prevention of many millions of deaths each year from infectious diseases. However in recent decades, the evolution of ...